Icepack: A.D. Amorosi on the news, nightlife and bitchiness beats
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
When the Ars Nova Workshop, the Philadelphia Jazz Project and saxophonist Bobby Zankel start their Still the New Thing Festival at Painted Bride this weekend, they’ll be paying homage to three of the all-time greats: MacArthur Foundation genius fellowship awardee/pianist Cecil Taylor, “harmalodic” sax giant Ornette Coleman and Germantown’s late great Sun Ra. More than that, Zankel and co. will celebrate the essence of freedom that each icon brought to jazz (though neither Taylor nor Coleman will be performing). On March 8, the first night of the festival, Zankel will cover several of Taylor’s most complex compositions while fronting a group of the master pianist’s collaborators such as bassist William Parker and Philly pianist Dave Burrell. On March 21, the fest celebrates Ornette Coleman’s 84th birthday with son Denardo Coleman’s band and Ornette’s onetime bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma. On April 19, Zankel’s Warriors of the Wonderful Sound pair up with Sun Ra’s Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen for a delicious evening of Ra-ness. Zankel says he had to call in a few favors to put such a stellar lineup together. “Luckily, they are all pretty much old friends of mine.”
Two high-profile Philly ladies are celebrating new, higher-profile jobs this week. Former Brûleé Catering GM Kelley Maddox — she’s had her hands in soirees at the Please Touch Museum and the National Constitution Center — just got a gig with Stephen Starr Events as its new senior director of development in Philly. Yay. Then there’s the highly visible former assistant manager at Del Frisco’s (and a “Sexy Single,” according to the Daily News) Carmen Tedesco, who just got the gig as that steak house’s general manager. Double yay.
When Hawthorne’s Beer Boutique was damaged by an electrical fire on Feb. 21, I was glad that no one was hurt, but disappointed that the brunch-and-take-out-brew spot would have to shutter for a while. Recently, the staff sent word that all Hawthorne’s events would be diverted to its sister spot, The Cambridge at 15th and South. OK, I’ll walk a few blocks more.
Philadelphia expatriate artist and rapper Jayson Musson — whom I spoke to last year about his Cosby-worthy sweater sculptures and having his song “Miller Time” sampled for the viral sensation “Harlem Shake” — just announced that Plastic Little is reuniting, however briefly. The legendary local avant-hop outfit — also featuring Kurt Hunte and Michael Stern — will play a JUMP magazine gig at Underground Arts on April 26.
More ice? Head to citypaper.net/nakedcity.
